We come from the edge.But we are not on the edge.
We are at the heart of strength, of love, of change.
Together — we are stronger. Together — we are real.
Together — we are light. From the edge — but with faith in our hearts.
And that faith is alive. It speaks through the voices of children.
Just a few kilometers from the front line only 5 to 7 km from the occupied territories — lives a team of bright and incredibly strong students: my teens, the MERRYBOX group.
In a place where fear could so easily take over, they choose every single day to dream, to learn, to create, and to believe.
They hold hands, they laugh, they stumble and rise again — and they never give up.
Their friendship is stronger than any fear. Their warmth is louder than any silence.
And their dreams are bigger than any wall around them. They are my wings, my heartbeat, my living dreams constantly reminding me that even when you're standing on the very edge of the abyss, you can still look up to the sky.
This school year, I’ve had the honor and the joy of presenting our shared work with these students not as ordinary presentations, but as living stories of strength, friendship, and a light that doesn’t fade, even in dark times.
In Portugal, in the city of Porto, I spoke during the study visit “UKRAINE to PORTUGAL: Youth Mobility and Partnerships for European Values” about holding on to European values even when surrounded by war.
In Spain, in Dénia and Xàbia, through meetings and workshops with CULTURA CONTRA BALAS, we explored the idea of culture as a force that heals wounds and stitches torn hearts.
In Germany, in the city of Weimar, at the international conference “Living and Teaching European Values Today,” I presented the concepts of our completed projects, sharing the voices of children who despite everything have not lost faith.
Faith in themselves.
Faith in humanity.
Faith in education.
Faith in tomorrow.
These presentations were made possible thanks to our partners at TABULA RASA FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, who believe in young people even when the world around them trembles. And thanks to the national offices of eTwinning and ERASMUS+ in Ukraine, who for more than ten years have helped us turn dreams into real, impactful projects.
These events were not only an opportunity to share our experiences they became true beginnings: of new partnerships, new ideas, new paths for future projects.
They became a source of fresh hope, creative inspiration, and priceless human connections
broadening the horizons for each of us. These aren’t just projects.
They are real dreams dreams that have the power to change the world.
The video created by the MERRYBOX team is rightfully named:
“LOOKING FROM THE EDGE.”
